Experience Overview
Discover incredible, lush Costa Rica and understand why this part of the world is called the ‘rich coast’. This 15-day adventure, beginning and ending in lively San Jose, is a journey through the jungles, farmlands, beaches and cities of a pure Central American location. Stay with a local family in Santa Rosa de Pocosol and help your hosts prep a traditional meal. Soak in springs that get their heat from an active volcano in La Fortuna and take on a huge array of nature-based optional activities in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Spot three-toed sloths in the thickets of the Manuel Antonio National Park, then relax beneath swaying palms on the nearby beaches.
Highlights
- Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on this journey into the rainforests, waterways, hot springs and the palm-lined beaches of Costa Rica.
- Spot long-nosed tapirs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots and three-toed sloths on this wildlife adventure – Costa Rica is home to many exotic animals, and this trip puts you in the perfect position to see them all.
- Go deeper than the average tourist with a homestay in a quiet agricultural community – the perfect opportunity to experience local life and practice your Spanish. You’ll even have an informal cooking lesson with the locals to make dinner!
- Refresh yourself after jungle hikes, spotting wildlife in the rejuvenating hot springs of volcanic La Fortuna.
- Visit the indigenous Maleku community to share a traditional meal and learn about their way of life – this small tribe has big ambitions for regenerating local forests and natural habitats.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2514
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle,Public Transportation,Boat
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: QVSR
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Finishes: San Jose, Costa Rica
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights),Lodge (6 nights),Homestay (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2188 (CAD 146 /day)
Itinerary
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure starts in San Jose – with over a third of the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is packed with both people and culture. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not visit the National Museum. This canary-yellow building houses everything from exhibits on pre-Colombian history to a garden filled with native butterflies. Early bird history buffs might be interested in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum – both of which display a wealth of indigenous artefacts.
Optional Activities:
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) (17 USD)
- San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) (17 USD)
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (12 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave the hotel this morning and descend to the Caribbean lowlands on a public bus journey that ends at the port of La Pavona. This rustic port is your entry point to Tortuguero National Park. When you arrive, hop aboard a small boat and take a ride into the depths of the Costa Rican wilderness. Arrive in the middle of this biodiverse area, where freshwater lagoons rest under the canopy of rainforest bordering the ocean. Many animals call this place home, including jaguars and turtles, so listen out for the sounds of the local wildlife as you fall asleep in your lodge tonight.
Included Activities:
- Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you're free to explore the park at your own pace. If you're woken by the chattering of the forests birds, why not haul yourself out of bed for a sunrise canoe trip? It’s a magical way to see the maze-like canals of the park, and you can look out for otters and manatees in the morning light. Tortuguero National Park was established in 1970 and is now home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals. Among them are manatees, ocelots and jaguars, as well as over 300 bird species. This is also the nesting ground of the green turtle, which comes ashore to lay its eggs on the sandy beaches, and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, loggerheads and giant leatherbacks. During the day, you might want to return to the park’s walking trails or relax in your lodge. Many species are particularly active at night, so if you wish, you can head out in the evening on a turtle watching tour, with part of the cost supporting a program aimed to patrol the beach for poachers.
Included Activities:
- Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
Optional Activities:
- Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals (47 USD)
- Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour (47 USD)
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Bid farewell to the evergreen rainforest this morning and make the journey to Santa Rosa de Pocosol. Today, you’ll have a memorable homestay experience, but as the family you'll be staying with doesn’t speak much English, your leader will conduct an informal Spanish lesson on the drive. This afternoon, you’ll have the option to take a soap-making workshop or a guided hike to a nearby waterfall. In the evening, head back to your homestay for a cooking lesson – some of the dishes you make will be part of tonight’s dinner!
Included Activities:
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Home-cooked Meal
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Homestay experience
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Optional Activities:
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Soap-making workshop (20 USD)
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Waterfall hike (11 USD)
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you’ll visit the Rio Celeste – a river fed by two different water sources. When they collide, the water takes on a distinctive light blue colour! On the way, stop off to visit an indigenous Maleku community, where you'll meet the locals and share a traditional Maleku meal with them. Hear stories of their history, culture and the challenges the community faces in modern Costa Rica. With only 650 people left, the Maleku Indian tribe is the smallest in Costa Rica. The community and the country share a common goal in reforestation, both working to regenerate forests and plant fruit trees, which encourage animals back to their natural habitats.
Included Activities:
- Guatuso - Maleku Community Experience
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is as clear as the Costa Rica air, and with plenty of optional activities available, you won’t be short of things to do! How about a guided tubing excursion at Rio Celeste? The light-blue waters of the river are generally off-limits to travellers, but you’ll have the opportunity to float along the water in an inflatable doughnut and spend the day lazing along the river. Those who prefer a nature tour on foot might like to take a 3-hour safari cruise along the Rio Tenorio, with a guide who will help you spot howler monkeys, crocodiles, river otters and an abundance of tropical birds.
Optional Activities:
- Rio Celeste - River Tubing Adventure (58 USD)
- Rio Celeste - National Park Guided Trail Walk (74 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Beneath the watchful eye of the immense Arenal Volcano lies La Fortuna – a sleepy town with an abundance of hot springs and natural pools to enjoy. This is your destination today and when you arrive, you’re free to choose your own activities. Perhaps grab some fresh fruit in town, hop in a taxi to the entrance and then hike to La Fortuna waterfall for a swim beneath the cascading waters that spill out of the towering jungle. In the evening, why not grab a classic local dinner with your travel buddies? Chifrijo (fried pork, salsa, beans and tortilla chips) is a great dish to try.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna as you wish. The region offers a range of sights such as stunning lush forest, rare plants, animal watching and water-based sports on the lake. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area has plenty of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs, often surrounded by foliage, make the ideal place to relax. Active types could try stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal with the incredible backdrop of the volcano and rolling green hills. Animal lovers will have a good chance of spotting sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and basilisk lizards skipping across the water on a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve. Have a chat with your leader about the options available.
Optional Activities:
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) (26 USD)
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) (49 USD)
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) (21 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
A morning of travel by bus and boat leads to incredible Monteverde. Settled by North American Quakers in 1951, this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and is now a biological preserve. The forest has near-constant cloud cover, providing consistent rainfall, which also gives the area an enchanted feel. Spend the afternoon in the cloud forest on a leader-led nature walk, looking out for hummingbirds, quetzals and even lazy sloths among the mist later in the day. You may even choose to return after dusk to seek the animals and insects that are largely hidden in the day.
Included Activities:
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk (45 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Make the most of your time in lush Monteverde and organise a local guide to take you on a nature walk. There also several local communities that operate cooperatives worth visiting with your free time. Maybe see a different perspective on the forest by walking through the canopy on suspension bridges, or perhaps watch butterflies at play in the Butterfly Garden. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home, and no matter what you choose to do, you should keep an eye out for the quetzal – one of the most elusive birds in the world.
Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) (22 USD)
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour (47 USD)
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour (58 USD)
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) (65 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Wedged between the beautiful Pacific coast and the national park, Manuel Antonio is a laidback town. Make your way there this morning, stopping in Quepos along the way – a chill town with a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon, you'll get the chance to meet three generations of Costa Ricans and tuck into a traditional cooking class and lunch with them in their home. Prior to the pandemic, the family ran one of the most popular restaurants in Quepos for almost 20 years. Now, you're lucky to learn the secret flavours and spices of their traditional dishes and get to know the whole family. After lunch arrive at your accommodation and enjoy some downtime. Perhaps head to Espadilla Beach to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Included Activities:
- Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, feel the soft crunch of foliage underfoot while you hike the trails of the national park on a leader-led nature hike. Keep one eye on the scenic views and the other looking out for the abundant wildlife. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of birds all live here. Later, spend some time on the beaches surrounding the national park, and maybe hire a surfboard to catch some waves at Playa El Ray. If you want to spot wildlife and keep active at the same time, consider paddling through the mangrove forest on a guided kayak tour. It’s not unusual for curious monkeys to climb right onto the boat to say hello, and you’ll likely see snakes, crocodiles and plenty of birdlife too. Just remember your insect repellent! In the evening, maybe take a sunset sail off the coast – watching the blue sky turn orange is a spectacular sight.
Included Activities:
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
Optional Activities:
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise (100 USD)
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) (79 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is free for you to do as you please. If you wish, you could return to Manuel Antonio National Park and continue your search for the solemn, white faces of the capuchin monkeys who live in the trees. Alternatively, why not kick-off your shoes and feel the sands of Manuel Antonio Beach between your toes? It’s easy to spend a whole day on this calm coastline. The towering green trees that line the coast provide solace from the sun, so this is a great place to sit by with a book (and maybe a guaro sour).
Optional Activities:
- Manuel Antonio National Park (Entrance fee) (19 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Bid farewell to the coast and return to San Jose via public bus this morning. When you arrive, you’ll be free to relax or wander the city at your own pace. In the evening, you might like to head for dinner with your fellow travellers and group leader and toast to a trip well travelled.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
With no further activites planned, your trip comes to an end today and you’re free to leave at any time after checking out. If you’d like to extend you stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Neil - Traveled, April 2024
This was my first ever trip with Intrepid. I was very impressed. I could not have hoped to have seen so much on my own. Spending time with 8 other like minded strangers (now good friends) was very positive. Marvin (our guide) was superb.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
Rachel - Traveled, April 2024
This was a fantastic trip - it had the perfect mix of wildlife, scenery, culture and activities. As other reviews have mentioned, there are a lot of additional meals and activities to pay for, but just make sure you read the trip notes before booking. Our tour leader, Marvin, was an amazing guide and his knowledge of wildlife was a real bonus.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/24/2024
Zoe - Traveled, April 2024
A dream come true and an amazing experience shared with others due to the passion and proud of our fantastic tour guide Rafeal
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/18/2024
Emily - Traveled, April 2024
If, like me, you are not sure if a group trip is for you then think again! I have never done a group tour and booked this last minute and was so pleased I did. The group were all wonderful people, our guide Rafa was incredible and the itinerary is a perfect mix of activities and free time. Ending the trip relaxing by the sea was a perfect finale. I feel like I have been away for months! Costa Rica is an incredible place and the wildlife you will see and people you will meet are beyond measure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/18/2024
Lennard - Traveled, April 2024
The hole trip experience was amazing! Our Guide Rafa was the best guide i could imagine! He was allways interested about culture, nature and the wellbeing of every person in our group. I have to particularly emphasize that he has a great talent for spoting animals. The homestay was a great experience to get in contact with locals. I won't forget the great spirit of our group, the beautiful nature, the wild animals and the kindness of the costarican people! Thanks, Pura Vida.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/18/2024
Amanda - Traveled, April 2024
I usually arrange holidays independently, but this holiday has changed my mind about group tours. Costa Rica is an amazing country with so much to offer but we would not have learnt so much about its history, geography, culture, flora and fauna without our guide, Raphael Ocampo.. We saw so much wildlife on the side of the ride because of his spotting skills. The itinerary of this tour enabled us to see the "must go" places in Costa Rica. The pace was good - a balance of action-packed mornings/days followed by the ability to rest in the afternoons or the next day. The homestay and meal cooked at the home of locals in Quepos were highlights. Intrepid tries hard to ensure that local people and businesses are used so that they, rather than foreign companies, benefit from tourism. This tour is now all on private mini buses not public buses which means not only that journeys are quicker and more convenient but affords the opportunity of stopping when wildlife is spotted on the roadside. I highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/20/2024
Santana - Traveled, April 2024
Amazing trip! 1. Incredible guide Rafa, enthusiastic, pragmatic and caring, really wanted us to have the best trip and see as much wildlife as possible. Passionate about Costa Rica, he gave us a great insight into the country from every angle. 2. Costa Rica is wonderful and this itinerary is great for those who love wildlife and nature. I also appreciated the positive impact activities such as the home stay or the local family lunch. 3. Fabulous group of likeminded individuals from all ages and walks of life. Everyone was kind and lovely and pleasure to be around. Bring good binoculars, you wont regret it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2024
Ashley - Traveled, April 2024
Leo our tour guide was absolutely amazing. He did his very best to offer us everything possible in every destination. This is the first time i've ever traveled solo, and I am so very glad that I did it with intrepid! Incredible company and incredible experience especially considering I was terrified when I started
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2024
Gary - Traveled, March 2024
Wonderful couple of weeks in Costa Rica. Our tour guide Allan was excellent and would thoroughly recommend to wildlife lovers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2024
Lauren - Traveled, March 2024
This trip was phenomenal- lots of sloths and other animals and our guide was an expert!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2024
Sophie - Traveled, March 2024
A must for all wildlife lovers. I managed to see lots of sloths, which was a dream come true for me. To see them in their natural habitat will be a memory I’ll keep. We managed to see some amazing areas of Costa Rica during our trip. It was a holiday of a lifetime and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Allan, our tour guide was highly knowledgeable and helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2024
Amy - Traveled, March 2024
If you're thinking of going to Costa Rica then Classic Costa Rica is the trip to do. The itinerary really covers all the main highlights of the destination and you really feel like you get a good overview of the Country as a whole. This trip was exhilarating, cultural and full of adventure! We really went into the heart of the Costa Rican wilderness. I highly recommend it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Yuen Ting - Traveled, March 2024
Honestly, “meh”. If you want to check out this part of the world, I’ll recommend Peru instead.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
Maria - Traveled, March 2024
Fantastic trip with an incredible group of people and an amazing leader in Liza. Felt so organised and great activities to see Costa Rica.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2024
Beata - Traveled, March 2024
I had a great time.It was a fantastic opportunity to meet people and explore beautiful places. I had a chance to observe lots of animals, enjoy delicious food and I get lots of information about Costa Rica ( people, animals and nature). I want to say a big Thank you to our trip leader for organising this trip in such good way and creating a wonderful atmosphere. Well done Liza.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2024
Tanya - Traveled, March 2024
This trip is fantastic - it covers the main sites of Costa Rica taking in such amazing wildlife, forests, jungle, beaches, culture and food. I would never have seen half of what I have on this trip outside of the group, which is also testament to our amazing tour guide Liza. The trip was action packed with alot of travel but the longer bus journeys never felt too long as there was always a break or an activity included along the way. I would thoroughly recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/10/2024
Daria - Traveled, March 2024
For me this “solution” to come to Costa Rica was a last minute booking as my original tour was cancelled one day before departure from a different organisation . And this was the best what could have happened to me. This tour gave me the opportunity to get to know this amazing country with its amazing people . Thanks to Liza, I have the feeling I learned so much about the culture and the people, flora and fauna. As a biologist, for me the main reason was to explore the faunal diversity. But Liza showed us so much more . And I am really really grateful for that . Other aspects she pointed out multiple times were how we can take what we learned back home and live more sustainable we the resources we get from countries like Costa Rica . She also pointed out that we as tourists give so much to the people and it took away my fear of being regarded as the annoying German tourist :) what I also appreciated was that we were an international group . So we had a mixture of people with different cultures which was more than a cherry on top :) I hope you can see I am more than grateful that I ended up in this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/10/2024
Lain - Traveled, March 2024
Excellent introduction to Costa Rica. Itinerary provides time to explore destinations and the wildlife is amazing. You can do as many or few activities as you like (or can afford - CR is expensive). Would be great to combine with another tour to other CA countries. Enjoy!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Amy - Traveled, March 2024
This trip was fantastic. It offered so much. There were so many optional extra activities that we simply couldn't get round to them all, but it does make this trip expensive as there aren't many included activities nor meals. We saw so much wildlife and enjoyed so many adrenaline activities, from ziplining and canyoning to tubing. There were options to visit hot springs and swim in rivers as well as some beach days. Our group leader Aura was fantastic and her local knowledge meant that we never missed out.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2024
Emma - Traveled, March 2024
An immersive and restorative blast around a beautiful country. We saw so much wildlife - seeing a sloth on our first day leaving San Jose was an early highlight! Included activities are manageable for coach potatoes like me, but optional add-ons may require a higher level of fitness. Huge kudos to our guide Kenneth who went above and beyond and gave us an unforgettable experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2024
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